Alumnae initiation

[trojangal]

Hi!

I just found out about alumnae initiation programs! I didn't have the chance to be in a GLO in college, and am thrilled to hear that NPC groups offer women a chance to join afterwards.

What do I need to do? Where do I need to go for help with this?

I'm looking for advice and assistance. I live in the Birmingham, Alabama, area and would like to know what I need to get started. I have made contact with one organization's HQ, and they have been very responsive!!

Looking forward to being a PNAM!

[wrigley]

Hi trojangal,

Click on the following thread and you can sift through countless examples of women who were able to achieve their dream of alumnae initiation.

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/forumd...s=&forumid=208


Good luck.

[navane]

Hi trojangal!

I'm glad to hear that we have another potential AI!

We used to have a couple of very informative threads which covered the AI process extensively. Unfortunately, they seemed to have disappeared a few of days ago when GC went down for a day.

It sounds like you started off on the right foot by contacting the HQ of the organization you are interested in. There are 26 sororities in the National Panhellenic Conference, but not all of them do alumnae initiation. You can get all of the links to the all of the 26 NPCs at http://www.npcwomen.org. Many of them have information right on their website about whether or not they do AI. For others you may have to ask the HQ.

Normally, one would research the orgs to see:

- which orgs seem to click with you (their beliefs, philanthropies, etc)
- which orgs have alumnae and collegiate chapters near you

Since you've already contacted the HQ and gotten a response, normally the next step would be for the HQ to put you in contact with the alumnae chapter in your area. Someone from the alumnae chapter would then invite you around to a few events so you all can meet each other. Anywhere from 2 months to 1+ years later, you or they may decide it's not a good fit, or you may be invited to become a sister!

I want to make it very clear right away that it may take a LONG time to hear back from an alumnae from your group, take a LONG time before the next event, take a LONG time to be invited to join and then a LONG time to wait until the next initiation. Be patient and know that it's often a frustrating waiting game. Obviously, the local alumnae members have full-time jobs and such and your e-mails sometimes get lost in the shuffle.

I was just initiated as a Gamma Phi Beta alumna at the international convention in Chicago almost two months ago! It took me a very, very long time, but I made it in the end!

If you just happen to be looking at Gamma Phi Beta, feel free to PM me! Also, there are loads of other alumnae initiates from orgs like Alpha Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Tri Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Gamma and more! If not, there are lots of helpful ladies from other orgs too!

If you have any specific questions, do ask us! We're eager to help!

.....Kelly

[pinkyphimu]

good luck on your search! this is a long process, but it is definately worth it! there are plenty of experienced women on this board and will be able to answer your questions!

have fun!

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Also, if there are members of the group you are looking at feel free to pm one or two of them. I have helped a number of PNAM's get hooked up with our alumnae chapters and I'm helping a local women with our AI process as well.

But as has been said, be patient. The level of AI experience varies both among the different NPC's but also among the varous alum chapters of a specific GLO. I know that a few of our alum chapters have given AI's wrong answers to the question of whether we do AI.

Good Luck.........

[trojangal]

Hello friends!

Thanks so much for the encouragment! I've already started looking at different organizations and sending email to their Headquarters. I'm looking forward to hearing their responses as I work my way through this.

Apparently, there are several alumnae groups here in the Birmingham, Alabama, area.

I have a few questions:
--Is it appropriate for me to contact the alumnae group myself, or should I wait until directed from the HQ?
--If I know someone who is in a GLO who does AI, would it be appropriate to approach them?
--Is it more common to have sponsors when you start, or is it better to have someone sponsor you from the local alumnae group?

Also, do we have any more new PNAMs out there this fall?

Cheryl

[Measi]

Hi Cheryl~

There are a few of us out there looking, yes. I'm crossing my fingers... I have a couple of possible leads, and I'm hoping I find a "home" in one of them!

Best of luck on your search!

~ Mel.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

It is fine for you to contact the Alumnae group yourself.

Be discrete though if you are contacting more than one group.....

An alumnae chapter isn't going to want to devote fully to you if they know that you are also looking around at other groups.

[aopirose]

Originally posted by trojangal
I have a few questions:
--Is it appropriate for me to contact the alumnae group myself, or should I wait until directed from the HQ?
--If I know someone who is in a GLO who does AI, would it be appropriate to approach them?
--Is it more common to have sponsors when you start, or is it better to have someone sponsor you from the local alumnae group?

Cheryl

1. Not for AOII. For those interested in AOII, please contact our Alumnae Services Admistrator at HQ before contacting the local chapter. She will make the introduction if you do not know anyone in the chapter. http://www.alphaomicronpi.org/conten...toryframe.html

2. Use your connections by all means.

3. I am not certain how common it is to have sponsors before you start. If that is your case then you are very fortunate. Also, in AOII, your sponsor must be local.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[emleepc]

Just wanted to say good luck on your search in Birmingham, AL. It's always great to hear of a fellow Birminghamian!!!!!

[Breeza00]

Hello All!I was wondering of someone could help me get started with the AI process?? I would love to be a PNM!!!

[navane]

Welcome Breeza00!

If you have specific questions about exactly what you mean by needing "help", we'd be happy to answer them!

However, you may want to check out the specific links we've already posted. In this thread, Wrigley posted the link to our Alumni Initiation Forum. Here it is again:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/fo...s=&forumid=208

There have been countless numbers of Potential New Alumnae Members (PNAMs) here at GreekChat - I'm sure our threads have already answered almost any question you may have. Do read through the threads in the Alumni Initiation Forum thoroughly - there are informational threads about which organizations to contact as well as tips to get you started. You may want to start your own topic there so we have offer you specific help.

.....Kelly

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by Breeza00
Hello All!I was wondering of someone could help me get started with the AI process?? I would love to be a PNM!!!

Originally posted by Munchkin03

is right.

[Breeza00]

Originally posted by navane
Welcome Breeza00!

If you have specific questions about exactly what you mean by needing "help", we'd be happy to answer them!

However, you may want to check out the specific links we've already posted. In this thread, Wrigley posted the link to our Alumni Initiation Forum. Here it is again:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/fo...s=&forumid=208

There have been countless numbers of Potential New Alumnae Members (PNAMs) here at GreekChat - I'm sure our threads have already answered almost any question you may have. Do read through the threads in the Alumni Initiation Forum thoroughly - there are informational threads about which organizations to contact as well as tips to get you started. You may want to start your own topic there so we have offer you specific help.

.....Kelly

Thanks Kelly!
What I meant is I was wondering if there is anyone that is willing to be a sponsor ect..
I am new to this and dont know where to begin! Thanks for replying and trying to help!